Remote Access to SEASnet Lab Applications
Important: Login to UCLA VPN is REQUIRED before starting RemoteApp and Remote Desktop. Download the Cisco VPN Software.
SEASnet provides students with remote access to lab applications through Windows RemoteApp and Remote Desktop connections. This service is essential for students enrolled in engineering courses and is available only through finals week.
To access the remote system, please follow the setup instructions below. Be aware that users will be automatically logged out after 30 minutes of inactivity on RemoteApp and 60 minutes on Remote Desktop. If you need to remain logged in for up to 4 hours, please refer to the “Alternate Instructions” at the bottom of this page and use the “Remote VDI” icon.
Note:
- You can run two RemoteApps simultaneously; however, if you close the first app, you must terminate the Remote Desktop connection in Task Manager to reopen it.
- Pro-II is currently not compatible with Mac computers.
Instructions for Windows
Instructions for Mac
Alternate instructions for
downloading RDP files
What are the choices under Work Resources?
The choices under Work Resources are categorized into 3 remote technologies:
- RemoteApp (Adobe Acrobat, Visual Studio, Visio, etc.): provides the ability to deliver one or more Windows applications remotely. The applications look like any other applications running on your computer.
- Remote Desktop: provides the full desktop experience as in the SEASnet labs, using a cluster of Microsoft Windows servers.
- Remote VDI: (Virtual PC): also provides the full desktop experience as in the SEASnet labs, but gives you an exclusive use of a Windows Virtual Desktop through VDI/desktop-as-a-service implementation.
Should I use RemoteApp, Remote Desktop, or Remote VDI?
- RemoteApp: If you just want to use a few specific Windows apps, you will get a better performance by using RemoteApp. For Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, you can optionally use these directly at ucla.box.com. The difference is where the data is saved. If you are not an engineering student, but a UCLA student, it is better to use ucla.box.com because your account at ucla.box.com is valid while you are a student at UCLA as opposed to your SEASnet account, which is only valid for a quarter.
- Remote Desktop: If you just want to have the same environment as in the SEASnet labs and you do not need Pro/II use Remote Desktop.SEASnet’s Remote Desktop is a multi-user system, but generally should give you a better performance over Virtual Desktop (a single-user concept) because it is hosted by a cluster of powerful servers.
- Remote VDI (does not work on Mac): If you need Pro/II, are a heavy MATLAB/COMSOL user, or are a resource intensive user, use Remote VDI (Virtual PC). Remote VDI consists of 50+ virtual machines. On a Remote Desktop, a heavy usage of MATLAB/COMSOL or a resource intensive application can hog memory/CPU on a server to the level where other users are affected. Therefore, if you are such a heavy user, we recommend that you use a Virtual Desktop to prevent affecting other users. Also, if you are testing an application that you write, it might also be safer to test it on a Virtual Desktop.
Can I use a combination of RemoteApp, Remote Desktop, and Remote VDI simultaneously?
No. We do not recommend this because your Windows User Profile is shared among all 3 remote services and it can become corrupted when using multiple technologies simultaneously. The corruption can also happen when you try to use one remote service right after logging off from another remote service. The corruption happens because different remote services are trying to retrieve/update your profile at the same time. Your account may not work properly when your profile becomes corrupted.
What is an RDP file?
The RDP file type is primarily associated with Remote Desktop Connection by Microsoft Corporation. An .RDP file contains all of the information for a connection to a terminal server, including the options settings that were configured when the file was saved. You use an RDP file by first downloading it to your computer and then opening it using an appropriate app (“RemoteApp and Desktop Connections” app on Windows and “Microsoft Remote Desktop” app on Mac).
1. Open Windows Search: Type “remoteapp” and select “Access RemoteApp“
2. Enter Connection URL: When prompted for your “Email address or connection URL,” enter:https://rds.seaslab.seas.ucla.edu/RDWeb/Feed/webfeed.aspx
Then click Next.
3. Provide Credentials: In the Windows Security prompt, enter your SEASnet username in the format seaslab\username (see example below) and your SEASnet password. Click OK.
4. Access Remote Apps: Windows will guide you through the final steps. You will then see all available RemoteApps, Remote Desktops, and Virtual Desktops in your Start Menu under Work Resources.
Note: Please avoid using RemoteApp, Remote Desktop, and Virtual Desktop simultaneously or immediately after logging off from another session, as this may cause your account to function improperly. For more information, see the FAQ.
- Download the App: Install the “Microsoft Remote Desktop” app from the App Store. Once installed, open the app.
- Add Workspace:
- Click the Workspace tab.
- Select the Add Workspace button.
3. Enter Workspace URL: In the “Add Workspace” prompt, enter:https://rds.seaslab.seas.ucla.edu/RDWeb/Feed/webfeed.aspx
Then click Add.
4. Provide User Account Information: When prompted for your user account, enter your SEASnet username in the format seaslab\username (see example below) and your SEASnet password. Click Continue.
5. Access Remote Resources: You will now see all available RemoteApps, Remote Desktops, and Virtual Desktops in the Microsoft Remote Desktop window under Work Resources.
Note: Please avoid using RemoteApp, Remote Desktop, and Virtual Desktop simultaneously or immediately after logging off from another session, as this may cause your account to function improperly. For more information, see the FAQ.
Download Microsoft Remote Desktop:
- If you are using a Mac, download and install the “Microsoft Remote Desktop” app from the App Store.
- If you are using Windows, no additional app is required.
1. Log In: Open your web browser and go to the URL:https://rds.seaslab.seas.ucla.edu/RDWeb/Pages
Log in with your SEASnet username in the format seaslab\username (see example below) and your SEASnet password, then click Sign in.
2. Access Work Resources: After signing in, you will be directed to the Work Resources page, where you can find RDP downloads for RemoteApps, Remote Desktops, and Virtual Desktops.
3. Download RDP Files: Click on the desired RDP file to download it. For example, you can download the file for Adobe Acrobat.
4. Open RDP Files: When you open an RDP file, it will prompt you for your SEASnet username (in the format seaslab\username) and your SEASnet password.
Tip: For convenience, download all the RDP files you think you will need and save them to your computer. This way, you won’t have to repeat steps 1-3 frequently. For example, having the RDP file for Adobe Acrobat saved on your computer allows you to access it quickly whenever needed—just open the RDP file, and it’s like having the application directly on your computer!
Note: Please avoid using RemoteApp, Remote Desktop, and Virtual Desktop simultaneously or immediately after logging off from another session, as this may cause your account to function improperly. For more information, see the FAQ.